Missionary Ridge Camp #63
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

2011 Memorial Day Ceremonies

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2011 Memorial Day
 Our Memorial Day tribute began at the now familiar James Watkins Family Cemetery, located in the middle of Old Mill Trace Subdivision in Catoosa County, Georgia. Here we see local residents taking an interest in the activities of our Camp.
Below, we stopped at the Chattanooga Confederate Cemetery to honor two fallen Union soldiers buried among the many unknown Confederate soldiers here. Our ceremony attracted the attention of a young family at left.
2011 Memorial Day
And finally, the day's events ended in the National Cemetery. Missionary Ridge Camp #63, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, was pleased to present Mr. James Ogden of the National Park Service, historian at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, for the annual Torchlight Tour of the Veterans Administration's Chattanooga National Cemetery. Approximately 75 persons attended this year's event - once again, conducted by the light of replica 1860s period torches.
2011 Memorial Day
2011 Memorial Day
2011 Memorial Day
 Above, we see Charles Engle read appropriate words about the cemetery and the dedication.

At left, Jim Ogden brings the deceased back to life! Here, as he passes around a photo of a fallen Union soldier, he tells his story for all to know that this was a person and not just another grave marker.

It was indeed fitting to celebrate Memorial Day on the actual day (30th of May) that was set aside to remember our veterans. General John Logan would have been most satisfied with today's events.